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How’s it going, Olivia?
You know, as hosts, sometimes we beat ourselves up over something as simple as a 4-star review. After reading this INSANE Reddit thread about short-term rental hosts’ craziest stories, I don’t think I will be sweating a 4-star review anymore.
P.S. The ”where’s Jenny?” story is a first for me.
– Garrett Brown (BiggerPockets STR Expert)
In this email:
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- Airbnb Co-Founder Joins DOGE, Hosts React: This Airbnb co-founder has joined the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has caused quite a stir.
- $50,000 Changes Her Life: This host bought eight apartments for $50,000 TOTAL and turned them into $220,000-per-year STRs. Learn her secrets and which market worked for her.
- From Dirt to Dollars: Isaac French took a raw patch of land and, with help from a local bank, turned it into a $7 million micro resort. Oh, and he also turned a $3,000 train car into one of Airbnb’s most viral listings.
- Badge Me If You Can: Does an Airbnb badge matter for your listing?
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Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia's recent decision to join the Elon Musk-helmed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has sparked significant reactions within the STR community. Gebbia, who stepped down from daily operations at Airbnb in 2022 but remains on its board, announced his involvement with DOGE, aiming to modernize government processes.
This move has led to a polarized response among Airbnb hosts and guests. Some hosts have expressed their intent to leave the platform, citing concerns over Gebbia's political affiliations and role in DOGE. Discussions on Airbnb's community forums reveal several hosts are considering delisting their properties in protest.
Airbnb has responded by distancing itself from Gebbia's personal political views, emphasizing that he has not been involved in daily operations since 2022. The company stated that Gebbia's participation in DOGE is in his own capacity and does not reflect Airbnb's views.
The long-term impact of Gebbia's involvement with DOGE on Airbnb and the broader STR market remains uncertain. While some hosts are concerned about potential boycotts affecting their bookings, others believe Gebbia's political stance may not significantly influence guest behavior or the platform's overall performance.
Will boycotts affect hosts?
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When most people talk about short-term rentals in the news, it’s usually about crackdowns, permits, and regulation drama. But occasionally, a story comes along that shows the other side—one that rarely gets headlines.
In Louisiana, a local investor took a completely abandoned, deteriorating apartment building and turned it into a thriving Airbnb business. It’s not a luxury glamping resort or a beachfront bungalow—it’s a forgotten property in a disinvested neighborhood brought back to life, one booking at a time. The result is 27 short-term rental units that are not only fully renovated and occupied, but also rated among the best in the state.
This story reminds us why STRs can be a force for good—creating jobs, revitalizing neighborhoods, and offering unique stays guests love. Yet stories like this barely ripple in mainstream media, where most STR coverage centers around bans and restrictions. |
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| Scale your short-term rental business without jumping through hoops. Host Financial specializes in DSCR loans built for short term rental investors. Whether you’re refinancing or acquiring your next STR, invest with confidence with the Nations Trusted STR Lending Experts.
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- $180K Airbnb Fine Fight: A Las Vegas man is suing the city after being fined $180,000 for running an illegal Airbnb, calling the penalty excessive.
- Hosts Face New Hurdles: As the STR market matures, operators face tighter regulations, rising costs, and evolving guest expectations.
- Do Badges Really Matter?: AirDNA explores Airbnb’s host badges—what they mean, how you earn them, and whether they impact bookings.
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In this week’s BiggerStays episode, I sit down with Isaac French, the creative mind behind Live Oak Lake and one of the most innovative short-term rental hosts. We discuss how he bootstrapped his first viral stay, partnered with a local bank to fund a design-forward resort, and turned a raw piece of land for under $200,000 into a $7 million sale.
Whether you dream of building your own Airbnb empire or just want a behind-the-scenes look at how one guy made dirt into millions, this one's for you. |
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Hot Topics from the Short-Term Rental & Airbnb Investing Forum, presented by Hospitable |
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| AI is Changing Real Estate—Are You Ready? Join industry leaders, VCs, and Baselane’s CTO to uncover: |
- The next big shift in automation
- Where VCs are betting big on AI
- How investors are maximizing returns with tech
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